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Need More Neon in My Life

I'm a child of the mid-'80s, which means I'm quite familiar with the less than stellar connotations that neon possesses. When done wrong, I get twitch-inducing flashbacks of the head-to-toe neon fashions that were so common in the early '90s. It was as if everyone was just ready and waiting for the black light to come out so they could shine as bright as possible. But when shocking, electric colors are done right (i.e. in very, very small doses), they can take an interior's decor to the next level.

(Image credit: Photographed by Susie Lowe, Designed by The Pink House)

I'm a firm believer that there should always be something in a room or vignette that doesn'tquitebelong. That's what makes things interesting and unpredictable. Those moments that make people do a double take. That's what a flash of purposefully placed neon does to space.

In this current climate of pastel everything, it's not popular to profess your love for anything other than blush and other hushed hues. Sure, I like some pastels here and there, but you know what would really shake up a room full of whispering shades? Some neon. A neon tray...a neon lamp cord...maybe even some neon pom poms on a throw pillow (on a plush velvet sofa, no less!).

Go wild, let loose, bust out of your pastel happy place and try some home decor that would make the highlighters in your desk jealous. It might seem scary like things could get kind of crazy, but we promise with just a little restraint, you'll get a big style pay off. Read on for a little inspiration to get you going:

(Image credit: Photographed by Susie Lowe, Designed by The Pink House)

The Edinburgh home of interiors blogger Emily Murray is my happy place. Her addition of hot pink trim on the blue spotted arm chairs, as well as the "play" neon sign, adds just enough modernity to this traditional room to make thingsreallyinteresting.

House Tour: Fun, Fabulous, Pink & Patterned in Edinburgh

Beige is banned from this Victorian house in Scotland. Emily, who runs The Pink House blog, challenges design conventions with striking color, playful patterns and more.

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(Image credit: Photographed by Susie Lowe, Designed by The Pink House)

Another image from Emily Murray's home (also shown above), this bright green glass bowl injects some energy into a soft, sweet vignette.

(Image credit: Design Milk)

From Design Milk, the office of Latvian interior and product designer Anna Butele is a study in juxtaposition: rustic, worn wood doors and lots of white come alive with the neon orange and yellow trim of the moldings and mirror. I want to note that adding a touch of neon to a mostly neutral room always works wonders (and doesn't feel insane).

(Image credit: Vtwonen)

(Image credit: Vtwonen)

In this Amsterdam home featured on Vtwonen, classic furniture silhouettes transform into something totally new with a simple neon paint job. The bright hues manage to bounce your eyes around the image.

(Image credit: Cotemaison)

Here's a great way to incorporate neonandpastels. Adding just the tiniest dash of neon yellow to the legs of this bed spotted on cute Maison breaks up the white between the bedding and the floor (and it plays nice with the softer colors throughout the room).